You can't divide people into 2 categories: `normies` (you probably meant mediocre) and top(10). Leaving philosophy aside, there are a lot of people who do want to know what makes the top(10) tick, people who enjoy learning and who have the mental capacity. And I would argue their number is significant.
Anyway, haven't we/they studied them ? That's what's missing ?
I refer to cloning, cause you can't take `normies` and tell them what to do and they'll become a science-guy. Cause they don't want to, don't enjoy the process, don't have the mental capacity (pick any of them or all of them).
So you need good genes (be able to learn, wanting/enjoying to learn), good enough life (don't get born in war-torn country), a good program on how to do them (what you say), a little guidance/mentoring.